{"product_id":"in-face-of-mystery-a-constructive-theology-9780674445765","title":"In Face of Mystery: A Constructive Theology","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the symbolic world of Christianity  which millions have inhabited for centuries  is there room for modern and postmodern lifefor todays real world of cultural relativism and religious pluralism  of scientific knowledge and historical understanding? In Face of Mystery draws these two worlds together in a full-scale reconception of Christian theology.  Theology  Gordon Kaufman suggests  is an imaginative construction  the creation of a symbolic world for ordering life. As it has been constructed  so it can be reconstructed  and Kaufman does so in a way that clarifies both the historic roots and the present-day applications of Christian symbolism. He works with a biohistorical interpretation of human life  one that portrays humanity as a product of biological evolution and historical development. While taking account of cultural and religious pluralism  and while providing criteria for making comparative assessments and judgments  this interpretation of human historical existence also situates human beingswith their capacities for freedom and creativitywithin the ecological wed that sustains all life. Human beings  Kaufman argues  have created religious symbolism as a necessary part of their attempt to orient themselves in the world. He shows how Christianity  as a system of symbols  has figured in this effort  and he carefully examines the separate elements of the Christian perspectiveforemost among them  God. How does the concept of God  as an ultimate point of reference  enhance our understanding of todays world; and how does the symbol Christ qualify this concept? The answers Kaufman proposes clarify the changing relevance of the symbolic world of Christianity.  Firmly embedded in physical and social science and in the tradition of American pragmatism  this thorough reconception of a Christian worldview offers insight into the most basic questions confronting humanity todayquestions of value  meaning  and self-identity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45666090352693,"sku":"ByrdShop_0674445767","price":71.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780674445765.jpg?v=1782418935","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/in-face-of-mystery-a-constructive-theology-9780674445765","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}